AMA Masterfile form?

[Dr Magpie]

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I'm not sure if this is the correct forum for this question or not, so please feel free to move if necessary.

I recently received a letter and form from the AMA requesting that I fill it out in order to be included in their "Masterfile". A search of this SDN doesn't bring up tons of information specifically about inclusion in this file. The form asks for lots of personal information including DOB, birth city, state license numbers, and SSN.

Now, I've never heard of the "Masterfile" so I called up the number on the letter (for the "Data Verification Unit") to ask a few questions. The woman on the other end of the line sounded, quite frankly, like I just woke her up. She couldn't really tell me what the "Masterfile" was except that it would be useful for future credentialing. She couldn't tell me if I could choose to include only certain information or if it was all-or-none. The letter is written on official looking AMA letterhead (with some purple printing) but the form is on a more "xeroxed" looking form, B&W, with a pixellated looking logo. This all started raising red flags. (Get your identity/CC info stolen twice and you'll be paranoid, too!)

Have other new graduates received this same form? Are you sending it in? What are the benefits and downsides?

TIA!

 

[dragonfly99]

I don't remember every getting one, strangely.
I know that some info is used by drug companies for marketing, etc. You can however choose to opt out, which I know I did at one point.

There likely is more info on the AMA web site, ama-assn.org.

However, if it makes you feel uncomfortable you can choose to not do it.
I don't think it will make much difference in credentialing and licensing, which is a PIA no matter what you do!

 

[Dr Magpie]

Thank you... I have absolutely no idea why I didn't look at their website. Seems like an obvious answer.

There, I found this document which is marginally helpful:
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/no-index/about-ama/2673.shtml

As well as a phone number to call the AMA in general rather than the "Data Verification Unit". I called and expressed my concerns and asked my questions to a nice and knowledgeable lady.

FYI: The Masterfile can keep all your "stuff" together to help simplify credentialing and licensing processes. If you are an AMA member they will send it to whomever you want, whenever you want, free. If not, it is $33 a pop.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

This is a pet peeve of mine.

The AMA masterfile is a complete list of all physicians in the US. US medical students do not need to "enter" themselves -- the AMA actually gets all of your private information from your medical school, without your permission. Theoretically, the AMA states that this is to ensure that your credentials are only used by you. For example, when you die, that's logged in the masterfile so if someone tries to steal your identity (to get credentialed as a physician) it won't work.

According to the AMA, being in the Masterfile also allows drug companies to contact you in case there is a recall, or some other labeling change, to their meds.

In reality, the Masterfile is a masterful way for the AMA to make money. The AMA is willing to sell the masterfile contact list to anyone willing to pay. They say that they will only sell it to appropriate parties planning to use it for acceptable means. However, I can tell you that I bought the list one year and no one cared who I was nor what I was using it for. In addition, per their definition, any drug company is clearly acceptable, because we all know they have our best interests at heart.

Presumably, the AMA is contacting the OP because they are an IMG. When IMG's enter training in the US, the AMA tries to get PD's to send them all of their vital stats for free, so they can then turn around and sell them for a profit. I think many PD's are becoming a bit wiser to the whole system, and simply refuse to send that information in, so now they are trying to get it from you.

There is no getting out of the Masterfile. You can contact the AMA and tell them that you want to be "Do Not Release" or "Do Not Contact". If you choose Do Not Contact, anyone who purchases a part of the list that contains your information will get it along with a note that you do not want to be contacted. Whether or not they listen to that is up to them. If you specify "Do Not release" they will not release your information without your specific permission to do so. Should you try to sign up for this, they will try to scare you about how your future employer will be unable to verify your training in the masterfile. This is a bunch of crap. Many hospitals will not bother to do so in any case, and if they do you can always allow the release.

Oh yes, one more thing. If you specify Do Not Release/Contact, any time your status changes -- student --> resident --> staff, you automatically revert back to full contact and have to do the whole process all over again. Fun, no?

 

[Winged Scapula]

Yet another reason for me to despise the AMA. 😡

 

[Doctor Bob]

US medical students do not need to "enter" themselves -- the AMA actually gets all of your private information from your medical school, without your permission.

Hmm... is this allopathic schools only or do the osteopathic schools send in that info also?

 

[Dr Magpie]

Presumably, the AMA is contacting the OP because they are an IMG. When IMG's enter training in the US, the AMA tries to get PD's to send them all of their vital stats for free, so they can then turn around and sell them for a profit. I think many PD's are becoming a bit wiser to the whole system, and simply refuse to send that information in, so now they are trying to get it from you.

aProgDirector, thank you for explaining so much about the masterfile. It seems like a fairly complicated beast.

I would like to clarify, however, that I am not an IMG but a graduate of a US allopathic school. So, it's not just IMGs they are going after for the info anymore. I wonder if other US allo grads have had this sent to them?